Lithuania lodges protest with Belarus over airspace violation

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry summoned Belarus’s acting chargé d’affaires on Thursday to issue a formal protest over a violation of its airspace near the state border, state news agency ELTA reports.

The incident, which occurred late Wednesday, forced Vilnius International Airport to impose temporary airspace restrictions, disrupting two flights and affecting over 120 passengers. One aircraft was diverted to Copenhagen, while another flight was cancelled, according to Lithuania’s Airports Authority (LTOU).

In a statement, the ministry condemned the breach as a “serious violation of international law” and a deliberate hybrid attack against Lithuania, holding Belarus fully responsible. Officials reiterated demands for Minsk to fulfill its international obligations by controlling its territory and airspace to prevent future incidents.

The violation follows a pattern of similar breaches linked to contraband balloons launched from Belarus. Last year, Lithuania declared a state of emergency over the balloon crisis, with Vilnius Airport operations repeatedly suspended in October, November, and December. The government has previously appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization over the recurring incursions.